'Pregnant women 2.4 times more likely to suffer stroke'

Researchers find that high blood pressure during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

JULY 18, 2011 15:54

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(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [illustrative])

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While pregnancy can be a time of excitement and joy, researchers have found that pregnant women are 2.4 times more likely to suffer a stroke than other women.

According to a medical journal article published by Loyola University Health System researchers, high blood pressure during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide.

Pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-induced high blood pressure syndrome, can cause serious complications in mother and baby if left untreated. Headaches, visual blurring, reduced urine output, fluid in the lungs and low platelet count are just some of the symptoms that women may suffer.

Researchers found that one way to decrease the risk of pre-eclampsia and death of the baby is for women who have pre-eclampsia risk factors to start aspirin at 12-14 weeks.

"Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia-related events are a major cause of maternal disability and maternal and fetal death in the USA, and without prompt and aggressive treatment these patients may rapidly decline," the Loyola researchers wrote.

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